In a word, the role of the voluntary management committee is leadership.

Regardless of the different titles a committee may have (the Board of Directors if the organisation has company status; The Management Board; The Trustees if it is a Trust etc) and its different status in law (e.g. company, voluntary association charity etc) this is the case.

Leadership means setting the vision for the organisation and running it in a way that will achieve these aims. There are many different tasks associated with this role and many different ways that it can be fulfilled. Rarely will the committee undertake this role totally alone without help or support but it is important for committee members to be clear that they are in charge of their organisation and they are ultimately responsible in law (i.e. legally liable) for what it does. Committee members must understand what they are responsible for. The pages on this section of the site will give an idea of the breadth of issues that should be considered when establishing and/or running a voluntary organisation. In a situation of uncertainty it is imperative to seek advice rather than go ahead without being sure of doing the right thing.

The committee should make sure that:

• the organisation is clear in its purpose and direction (strategic planning is recommended)
• all decisions taken are in line with and safeguard the ideals and purpose of the organisation as laid out in its founding statement or constitution
• assets are safeguarded and used efficiently for those for whom the organisation exists
• the organisation fulfils all its legal obligations
• the organisation is effectively managed, operates efficiently and works within its policies and budgets, any relevant good practice guidance and the law
• the organisation is accountable financially and in other ways
• there is a proper procedure for the recruitment and supervision of staff
• the Committee itself is representative and functions effectively

It is usually the case that voluntary organisations work for the benefit of others and this often puts them in a position of trust. In other words someone else trusts them to do a certain thing. This is always true with respect to any money given to the organisation in furtherance of its aims. Formally established organisations may have specific responsibilities in law based on the concept of trust (e.g. trustees of a trust) but in general all committees should bear it in mind when conducting their business.

In fulfilling its roles and responsibilities the committee may work with and seek help from voluntary sector infrastructure and intermediary bodies, the public or private sector, its own staff, volunteers in fact anyone it chooses to ask. For example, the committee of an organisation with staff would be foolish to try and set its vision for the next three years without involving the very people who were delivering its work. Voluntary sector infrastructure and intermediary bodies (like CVS and SCVO) only exist to support the sector so they are very well geared to assist.